Chilled water storage for milk cooling process

a cooling process and milk technology, applied in the field of liquid cooling process, can solve the problems of costly refrigeration equipment operation, prior art cooling process failure to achieve a fully simplified cooling process,

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-05-05
GRUBER DUANE A +1
View PDF12 Cites 0 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This process reduces energy consumption and strain on the electrical grid by shifting electricity usage to off-peak hours, conserving water, and maintaining milk at the desired storage temperature with minimal further cooling needed during peak demand.

Problems solved by technology

Consequently, in order to comply with state requirements pertaining to the cooling of milk, the majority of dairy farms operate costly refrigeration equipment on a 24-hour basis.
Prior art cooling processes have failed to achieve a simplified cooling process which fully realizes the potential for increased energy efficiency by neglecting to incorporate use of thermal storage, a pre-cooling step, or an effective combination of both processes.
As the storage tank for the milk also serves as the cooling unit, this cooling process relies heavily on constant refrigeration and is subject to the drawbacks mentioned above associated with cooling systems which lack a separate pre-cooling phase before the milk is directed into the storage tank.

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Chilled water storage for milk cooling process
  • Chilled water storage for milk cooling process

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

example

[0028] The following example is illustrative of a possible application of the process of the present invention in a typical dairy farm and is not intended to be a limitation thereon. Table 1 depicts technical data for a hypothetical dairy farm. Table 2 depicts energy consumption in the dairy farm, which is based on a typical Time of Use (TOU) Rate Schedule. Table 3 depicts calculated energy savings which should be achievable using the present invention for the dairy farm based on the data provided in Tables 1 and 2.

TABLE 1Approximate # of Cattle Milked per Day780-790Approximate Total Milk Production per Day6,960gal / dayMilking Period / Cycle24hoursMilk Temperature Leaving Cow101deg / F.Milk Bulk Storage Temperature38deg / F.Process Cooling Delta Temperature63deg / F.Allowable Time to Achieve Process Delta4-5minutesMilk Main Process Cooling Equipment Capacity30ton DXrefrigerationVolume of Chilled Water to cool Gallon of Milk1.5gal Water:1gal Milk

[0029]

TABLE 2Energy ConsumptionEnergy CostEne...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

PUM

No PUM Login to View More

Abstract

A process for cooling liquids wherein a coolant is cooled in a chiller during off-peak electrical demand periods, then directed to a first insulated storage vessel where it is stored until off-peak electrical demand periods have ended. During peak electrical demand periods, the coolant flows from the first insulated storage vessel to a flat plate heat exchanger, where a flow of liquid to be cooled, entering through a second conduit, is cooled. The cooled liquid exiting the heat exchanger is directed to a second insulated storage vessel where little or no further cooling of the liquid will be necessary during peak electrical demand periods.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 383,578, filed May 29, 2002.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a cooling process for liquids, and specifically, a cooling process for liquids utilizing a coolant liquid which is chilled during off-peak electrical demand periods. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] Cow's milk as it comes from the cow has a temperature of over 90° Fahrenheit. At this temperature, bacteria multiply with great rapidity. Thus, milking operations in most states are controlled by strict regulations, requiring for example, that bulk milk shall be cooled to 38-40 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours of milking. Consequently, in order to comply with state requirements pertaining to the cooling of milk, the majority of dairy farms operate costly refrigeration equipment on a 24-hour basis. [0006] In order to ...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to View More
Patent Type & AuthorityApplications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): A01J9/04
CPCA01J9/04
InventorGRUBER, DUANE A.GRUBER, MICHAEL E.
OwnerGRUBER DUANE A